Ecosystem Management 24.6,7,8

Question 1

Masai Mara National Reserve

Answer 1

This is a reserve in Kenya that is being conserved to balance the needs of humans and the ecosystems

Question 2

Masai Mara ecosystem info

Answer 2

• A savannah ecosystem
• Has grasslands and woodlands
• Home to many mammals like wildebeest and zebras
• Acacia used to be the dominant plant, but it brought disease so the government cleared it
• There used to be semi-nomadic grazing but now that the reserve restricts the access of tribes, the grazing only happens on the margins and this means vegetation is removed around there
• Cultivation has increased as more crops are being planted
• Ecotourism is very popular there are many people who come to see the animals. This helps sustainable development as it increases awareness.
• Black rhinos in the Masai Mara were endangered due to illegal poaching for their horn, but due to conservation they are increasing

Question 3

How do they strike a balancer in the Masai Mara?

Answer 3

• Elephants can trample crops so people put up fencing but this can disrupt migrating patterns
• Legal hunting is allowed to keep animal pops under control but need to be careful not to overhunt
• Livestock have to compete with wildebeest for grass and diseases can be introduced to them
• Humans require more homes

Question 4

Terai region

Answer 4

This is in Nepal and is very fertile so is used for agriculture and a lot of other resources. It is at risk of being exploited and overused

Question 5

Terai Region ecosystem info

Answer 5

• The temperatures are really high so there is extreme biodiversity with many different plants and animals
• Deforestation is a large problem because it is what the country depends on for income but it is destroying animals habitats and also affecting locals who rely on the forest
• Monsoons also damage the ecosystems and the forest.
• They are trying to manage the forests more sustainably by improving conservation, improving soil and water management and charging more for resources
• They are also trying to sustain agriculture by producing more fruit and veg, improving irrigation and farming techniques and also growing more crop varieties

Question 6

What is a peat bog?

Answer 6

Wet spongy ground that contains decomposing vegetation which is a store of carbon dioxide.

Question 7

Why are peat bogs so important?

Answer 7

Peat can be used as fuel when it is dry to release thermal energy and CO2 into the atmosphere. Peat bogs take a long time to form and it can be mixed with soil to make it more favourable to plants.

Question 8

Peat bog ecosystem info

Answer 8

• They are formed when vegetation cannot decay fully because of anaerobic conditions.
• They can support many different plants and animals like insects and also birds who make their nests on them.
• Lowland bogs are threatened environment as aforestation can occur and ruin biodiversity in that ecosystem
• People are trying to sustain it by ensuring the peat bog is as wet as possible, removing seeds and seedlings from the area and using uncontrolled grazing.